Parishioners Mourn Death of American Orthodox Leader
A community of three churches in Lackawanna County is mourning the loss of Metropolitan Nicholas Smisko, spiritual leader of American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA. Metropolitan Nicholas, 75, died Sunday of cancer near Johnstown PA, where he headed the 10,000-member diocese, The Associated Press reported.
The Rev Mark Leasure, pastor of St George parish in Taylor PA, recalled Metropolitan Nicholas as a loving compassionate person of great faith. Despite his high ranking as archbishop, Metropolitan Nicholas possessed deep humility, Rev Leasure said. “He was my pastor, my father. He’ll be greatly missed”, Rev Leasure said, who knew Metropolitan Nicholas for nearly 30 years. Metropolitan Nicholas visited Northeast Pennsylvania often. St George parish is the seat of a geographic deanery that includes St Mary parish in Dickson City PA and St Nicholas parish in Scranton PA.
According to the Associated Press, Metropolitan Nicholas was known for his efforts to repair the nearly 1,000-year-old schism between the Roman Catholic and Orthodox churches, as well as other divisions. At a 2005 memorial Mass for the late Pope John Paul II, Metropolitan Nicholas received a standing ovation when he spoke about church unity. Rev Leasure said it was difficult to watch the declining health of Metropolitan Nicholas, who was born in Perth Amboy NJ to immigrants from the Carpathian Mountains of Eastern Europe. He’d served as metropolitan since 1997.
Rev Leasure recalled when he was a seminary student chosen to participate in a foot-washing ceremony for Holy Thursday. With a pitcher of water, Metropolitan Nicholas knelt down and washed the Rev Leasure’s feet, kissing them. The Taylor PA pastor said he wouldn’t soon forget the look in the bishop’s eyes, the emotion he conveyed. “To me, personally, he was a saint among us”, Rev Leasure said.
16 March 2011
Jeremy Burton
Scranton (PA) Times Tribune
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Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Bishop Dies
An Orthodox church in Erie lost its ruling bishop to cancer. Metropolitan Nicholas Smisko, 75, spiritual leader of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA, died Sunday. The Johnstown PA-based diocese includes St Nicholas Orthodox Church on East Avenue in Erie. David Tarasovich, a St Nicholas member, said Metropolitan Nicholas “visited our church in Erie several times since he was made our bishop in 1985”.
Born in 1936, the metropolitan graduated from high school in New Jersey and attended Christ the Saviour Seminary in Johnstown PA. He pastored parishes in that area and New York City before becoming a bishop in 1983. Two years later, he was enthroned as the ruling bishop in Johnstown PA, overseeing a diocese with 14 districts, 81 parishes, and 8,500 people in the USA and Canada. He was elevated to the rank of metropolitan in 1997.
“This is just a tremendous loss”, Tarasovich’s mother, Phyllis Tarasovich, said. Also a member of Erie’s St Nicholas parish, she was one of about 40 people who went with the metropolitan to Europe a decade ago to visit churches and bishops. She remembered him as humble and dedicated to the diocese.
Metropolitan Nicholas will lie in state beginning today, with a funeral service Friday in Johnstown PA and services Saturday and Sunday in Perth Amboy NJ, before his burial there Monday.
16 March 2011
Dana Massing
Erie (PA) Times-News
http://www.goerie.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110316/NEWS02/303159917/-1/newssitemap
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Obituary: Metropolitan Nicholas, Leader of Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese in the USA. 23 February 1936 – 13 March 2011
Metropolitan Nicholas, an Orthodox bishop whose Christian influence far outweighed the size of his American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese in the USA, died Sunday of cancer. Because of his heritage and education, Metropolitan Nicholas “bridged the Slavic and Greek worlds of Orthodoxy. He was a very unifying figure”, said the Rev Mark Arey, ecumenical officer of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. The Rev Frank Miloro, Chancellor of the Carpatho-Russian Diocese, said the metropolitan “was very much interested in the spiritual renewal of the people of the diocese, and he succeeded in that to a great extent. Secondly, he was interested in renewal involving other Christian churches. … He was truly an ecumenist and not afraid to say so”. Bishop John Kudrick of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Parma OH… a tradition with which Metropolitan Nicholas sought to rebuild ties 50 years after a bitter schism… said, “All Christianity grieves the loss of an exemplary spiritual leader”.
He was born in Perth Amboy NJ, the son of immigrants from the Carpathian Mountains of Eastern Europe. The family had been Eastern Catholic, loyal to the pope, but maintaining Orthodox traditions that included a married priesthood. After the Vatican banned married Eastern Catholic priests for America in 1929, many Catholics left what is now the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh and formed the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese, under the jurisdiction of the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople. Ordained in 1959, he attended the Orthodox seminary in Johnstown PA, where he later served as rector. He also studied at the Ecumenical Patriarchate seminary in Halki, Turkey, spending time in the Holy Land and on Mount Athos, the monastic centre on the Greek coast. He took monastic vows and was abbot of a monastery in New York when he was elected auxiliary bishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA in 1983. In 1985, he became the First Hierarch of the Carpatho-Russian Diocese.
He presided over a liturgical revival and promoted youth ministry and mission outreach. After an initial invitation from the late Metropolitan Judson Procyk of the Byzantine Catholic Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, Metropolitan Nicholas promoted a mutually supportive relationship between the estranged churches. He had represented the ecumenical patriarch at the Vatican’s Synod of Bishops. He was a long-standing officer of the Standing Council of Orthodox Bishops in America and showed great wisdom in addressing the complex ecclesiastical, ethnic, and geopolitical challenges that Orthodox churches face in America, Fr Arey said. “He was known to be a mediator. He had a personality that could deal with anybody, no matter what the issues”, Fr Arey said. A statement from the bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA said, “We will miss the off-the-cuff remarks during intense situations, which immediately reduced that intensity, yet made points for those who heard to contemplate. We will long for the stark honesty and openness of his expressed opinions”.
Christina Duranko, a parishioner from Rankin PA, said that he would get to know the children at the diocesan camp, learn their names, and stay in touch as they grew up. His faith was deep, but never stodgy, she said. “He was known for his infectious laugh and quick wit, always ending a banquet with the ancient hymn God Grant You Many Years, adapted to the melody of How Dry I Am as it was sung by immigrants in the early 20th century coal towns”, she said.
Such a banquet was held 22 February in Johnstown PA for his 75th birthday. He told the 400 guests that the length of their lives was far less important than how they used those years to glorify God. “I have enjoyed 52 years being a priest and the last 28 years have also brought me great joy working for you as your bishop”, he said. “I don’t regret any of the 75 years God has given to me. And I would not change them in any way”.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Archontonis of Constantinople appointed Archbishop Demetrios Trakatellis of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America as the temporary administrator of the Johnstown-based diocese. It has about 10,000 members in 80 congregations nationwide. Metropolitan Nicholas’ body will lie in state in Christ the Saviour Cathedral, Johnstown PA, from 13.00 to 19.00 EDT Wednesday, with a short requiem service at 19.00 EDT, and from 10.00 EDT Thursday until a longer requiem service at 19.00 EDT. His funeral will be Friday at 10.00 EDT. He will be buried in Perth Amboy NJ, where viewing and services will be held at St John Orthodox Church on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.
15 March 2011
Ann Rodgers
Pittsburgh (PA) Post-Gazette
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11074/1132020-122.stm
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Metropolitan Nicholas had Special Place in Heart for the Poor
As a boy growing up in Perth Amboy NJ, Nicholas Smisko played priest in his parents’ attic, using sheets for robes, his mother’s goblet for a chalice, bread for Communion, and his father’s wine. “If a pet cat or dog in the neighbourhood died, he would bless that dog or cat, and have a funeral Mass for it”, recalled his brother Michael Smisko of Waretown NJ. “He was preparing to be a priest”. He not only became a priest, he became Metropolitan Nicholas, the spiritual leader of the 10,000-member American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA. He died Sunday, 13 March 2011, in Windber Hospice in Somerset County, after a long battle with cancer. He was 75.
Metropolitan Nicholas was born 23 February 1936, to the late Anna and Andrew Smisko. His mother rolled White Owl cigars, and his father was among the workers who unloaded boats from Chile and refined ore into copper ingots. There was never any doubt as to what Metropolitan Nicholas would be when he grew up. His brothers and the neighbourhood children would attend his attic services, with one serving as his altar boy. “He was truly a priest among priests”, said his sister-in-law, Mary Ann Smisko of Waretown NJ. Metropolitan Nicholas entered Christ the Saviour Seminary in Johnstown PA and was ordained a priest 11 January 1959. He was pastor of Ss Peter and Paul Church in Windber PA and studied abroad in Istanbul, Europe, and the Holy Land. After several promotions, he was chosen the third ruling hierarch of the Carpatho-Russian Diocese on 19 April 1985. He was elevated to the rank of Metropolitan by His All-Holiness, Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Archontonis on 24 November 1997.
“You could call him a people’s bishop”, said the Very Rev Protopresbyter Frank Miloro, Chancellor of the Carpatho-Russian Diocese and pastor of Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Johnstown PA. “He was interested in everybody… from people in high rank to the common man. He would help the poor, the underprivileged, most of the time… if not all the time… without fanfare, giving people money and food”. Rev Miloro was a friend and colleague of the Metropolitan and served as his altar boy in Windber PA. He said Metropolitan Nicholas years ago began hosting an Easter dinner for community leaders in his home. Eventually, he opened the dinners to those who had nowhere else to go for Easter and they outnumbered the civic leaders. They had to move the event to the Holiday Inn in Johnstown. “He was very committed to the ecumenical journey, especially as he tried to keep his Carpathian ethnic traditions alive and bring healing to his Orthodox Diocese and the Byzantine (archdiocese)”, said the Rev Donald B. Green, executive director of Christian Associates of Southwest Pennsylvania.
Besides his brother and sister-in-law, survivors include a brother, George of Perth Amboy NJ, another sister-in-law, and two nieces. The remains of Metropolitan Nicholas will arrive at 13.00 EDT Wednesday in Christ the Saviour Cathedral and will lie in state until Sunday evening. Miloro will celebrate the Pannikhida at 19.00 EDT Wednesday and the Parastas at 19.00 EDT Thursday. More information about the funeral arrangements is available at http://www.acrod.org/metropolitan/4638.
15 March 2011
Bill Zlatos
Pittsburgh (PA) Tribune-Review
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/regional/s_727396.html
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Metropolitan Nicholas Reposes in the Lord
COUNCIL OF BISHOPS OF THE UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH OF THE USA
Dearly beloved clergy and faithful of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the USA,
ALL GLORY BE TO OUR LORD AND SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST!
“With the Saints give rest, O Lord to the soul of Thy servant”… Metropolitan Nicholas, First Hierarch of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese, our brother by blood and faith, who served the flock entrusted to his spiritual care with a depth of love and commitment that are seldom witnessed in any aspect of life, in any place in the world today. We mourn the loss of his compassion, his uncommon brotherly support, his sense of humour, his love of the human voice and the heights it can reach as an “instrument” in our worship of the Lord. We will miss the off the cuff remarks during intense situations, which immediately reduced that intensity, yet made points for those who heard to contemplate. We will long for the stark honesty and openness of his expressed opinions.
To Metropolitan Nicholas’ brothers and family members, to the Members of the Diocesan Administration and to all the clergy and faithful of the Carpatho-Russian Church we express, in behalf of all the clergy and faithful of our Holy Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA, our heartfelt sympathy and love. We embrace you in Christ’s Love. Your Spiritual Father has served you long and well and your grief will most certainly exceed that of all others. You are the seal of the episcopal service of your Spiritual Father. The manner in which you remember him and serve our Lord, following the example that he set for you will be a living testament to his service and thus, his love and teaching will flow through generations to come.
Our brother in service to our Lord, Nicholas, has fought the good fight and he advances into eternity, awaiting the Great and Final Judgment. May his soul rest in eternal happiness and may his memory be eternal in God’s Heavenly Kingdom. May he hear the words we all long to hear from our Lord and God and Saviour Jesus Christ, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Come my beloved; enter into the joy of your Master, into the place that has been prepared for you since the foundation of the world”.
Вечная ему память!
13 March 2011
Metropolitan Constantine Buggan of Irinoupolis
Archbishop Antony Scharba of Hierapolis
Bishop Daniel Zelinsky of Pamphylos
Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the USA Official Website
http://www.uocofusa.org/news_110313_1.html
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Short Memorial Service Held Remembering Metropolitan Nicholas Smisko
All of this week, parishioners have been remembering the life of the spiritual leader of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese, Metropolitan Nicholas Smisko. On Wednesday night, a Pannikhida, a short memorial service, was held at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Johnstown PA. WJAC spoke with some of the people who attended the service who said they would remember the metropolitan for his acceptance of everyone. “He saw the image and likeness of God in everybody that he greeted. He was very gentle very sweet”, said Pavlos Plakakis. The metropolitan will lie in state Thursday at Christ the Saviour Cathedral. The funeral will be Friday at 10.00 EDT at the cathedral. He will return to his hometown in New Jersey, where he will be buried next week.
16 March 2011
WJAC-TV
http://www.wjactv.com/news/27221503/detail.html
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Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Mourns the Passing of Metropolitan Nicholas of Amissos, Archbishop Demetrios Appointed Locum Tenens
His Eminence Archbishop Demetrios Trakatellis of America noted with great sorrow the falling asleep in the Lord of Metropolitan Nicholas Smisko of Amissos, the Bishop of the American Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Diocese of the Ecumenical Patriarchate in the USA. Metropolitan Nicholas fell asleep in the Lord on Sunday, 13 March 2011, the Sunday of Orthodoxy, and the 28th anniversary of his ordination to the episcopacy (see http://www.acrod.org/metropolitan for full information).
On Saturday, 12 March, Archbishop Demetrios travelled to Johnstown PA (the seat of the Carpatho-Russian Church) to visit the Metropolitan on his sickbed. After praying with the Metropolitan and anointing him with Holy Oil, the Archbishop met with the Chancellor of the Carpatho-Russian Diocese, Protopresbyter Frank Miloro, to offer his advice and support. When he was informed of the Metropolitan’s passing on Sunday 13 March, Archbishop Demetrios, as Exarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate, contacted His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew Archontonis, in order to apprise the Ecumenical Patriarchate of the loss. His All Holiness then by a formal letter, both to the Archbishop and to the Chancellor for the Carpatho-Russian Church, appointed the Archbishop to be the Locum Tenens. Archbishop Demetrios will preside at the funeral at 10.00 EDT Friday 18 March at Christ the Saviour Cathedral in Johnstown PA, as well as the burial from St John Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church in Perth Amboy NJ on 21 March at 10.30 EDT. The rest of the services are listed at http://www.acrod.org/metropolitan/4638.
In his letter to the faithful of the Carpatho-Russian Church, Archbishop Demetrios wrote:
Beloved Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I convey to you my deepest and most heartfelt consolations, as well as those of the Holy Eparchial Synod and the Clergy and Faithful of the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, on the passing of your ever-memorable and thrice-blessed spiritual father, the late Metropolitan Nicholas of Amissos. This loss, unbearable at any time, has come quickly upon us all, and we are all now in the midst of grief. But as the Apostle Paul reminds us, our present sorrow is not without hope (I Thessalonians 4.13). Only a few weeks ago, the beloved and late Metropolitan celebrated his seventy-fifth birthday in the presence of his faithful clergy and flock, and it is certain that he passed from this vale of tears to everlasting joy in the certainty of the love, respect and goodwill of you, the faithful people of the Carpatho-Russian Church.
We have all lost a dear brother, father, and friend, and above all, a spiritual leader. I want all of the faithful to be sure that the integrity, character and spiritual traditions of the Carpatho-Russian Orthodox Church will be safeguarded with utmost respect and attention during the period that I will serve as your Locum Tenens, as per the decision of His All Holiness Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew. All regular life of the Diocese will proceed as ever, through the office of the Chancellor.
May the Lord give eternal rest with all the Saints and Righteous to the soul of our beloved Metropolitan Nicholas, and may He keep the blessed Carpatho-Russian Orthodox flock of our Most Holy Ecumenical Patriarchate in peace and spiritual prosperity.
http://www.acrod.org/news/releases/archpastoral1-abdemetrios
15 March 2011
Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America Official Website
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